Stamped Sophisticates

Monday, August 06, 2012

Stampin' Up! Product Suite Display Boards - 2012

One of the best parts of Convention is seeing all of the sample display boards -- especially the product suites. These boards show off many of the product suites from the current catalog along with ideas for using matching items.

See more samples for International Bazaar Suite in the catalog pp 96-98.

Stampin' Up! showed us such a wide array of styles. I love how Stampin' Up! has taken the guess work out of matching what goes with what.

See Floral District samples in the catalog pp70-72

Just like the catalog, the displays at Convention showed groupings of products that coordinate together into suites and make it easier to make coordinated projects.

The Summer Smooches Suite is on pp 80-82 of the catalog

You'll spend more time making your projects and less time trying to find products that work together.

More Birds of a Feather products begin on pp 88-90 of the catalog.

Although we saw the Designer Series papers up close during Convention, I love that the catalog this year shows larger images of the Designer Series papers making it easier to see the coordinated designs in each package.

The Natural Composition Specialty paper (right side of photo) is especially nice to work with with its glossy, raised patterns printed on heavy-weight Natural paper. (Item #126917)

Love the continuation of the suites grouping coordinating products together in the Holiday section of the catalog.

Be of Good Cheer suite is on pp 8-10 of the catalog

If you've looked through your copy of the new Holiday catalog, you'll see that you can save money by purchasing your matching products in bundles. Before placing your order for these fresh, trendy items, check out the savings you'll enjoy by purchasing your items in bundles that save your $$s! Purchase everything under one product code and save. Place an on-line order through my Stampin' Up! store and enjoy a stress-free Holiday season by starting your project early.

Enjoy more savings with these offers.

MDS2 is here! Video on many topics, as close as your computer key board. http://mydigitalstudio.net/video. 30-day Free trial --details here! Check out my previous post for full details on chosing the best software option and types of content availalbe.

Download a free copy of the Holiday Catalog today. Stampin' Up! released the catalog a month eaerlier than usual -- to give us (me) extra time to finish my Fall and Holiday projects.

If your wish list totals more than $99, a great way to get more value for your dollars is to sign up as a demonstrator. You'll select $125 worth of products for only $99 in your customizable Starter Kit; and receive free shipping. This month you'll also receive a FREE Howl-o-ween Painters Tray project kit that includes all the bits and piecers to create a super spooky Halloween decoration. As a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, you'll love receiving discounts on Stampin' Up! products. You earn greater discounts by combining sales items, like the My Digital Studio Products on Sale this month as well as other specials. Find out more here.

Enjoy!

Donna Ross

Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator

Private Classes: http://cardmaking.meetup.com/71/

To place an order: Place an on-line order through my Stampin' Up! store - 24/7 Shopping
Current Promotions

Wednesday, August 01, 2012

2012 Stampin' Up! Holiday Catalog is live

The Holiday Catalog is now live!

Place your orders on-line, any time!

Download a pdf version of the 2012 Holiday Catalog online. This allows you to zoom up to see large size versions of the samples and products. It is a large file, so give it a little time time to download completely.

New My Digital Studio (MDS2) is Here!

Video on many topics, as close as your computer key board. http://mydigitalstudio.net/video

View topics such as:

Creating buttons for your blog using MDS,
Recoloring Design Series Paper in MDS2,
Recoloring stamped images in MDS2.

MDS2 includes 75 new features so you'll be able to:

Design in Spreads
Create with custom canvas sizes
Add more than one color to a single stamp image
Change the color of designer papers or embellishments
Resize vector stamp images while keeping them crisp
See color combination suggestions
And much more...75 new features making designing easier!

My Digital Studio products

Software: MDS 2 and MDS 2+ are both available on a disc, so you can add them to any order. MDS 2+ is a fantastic value--not only do you get a digital designing program, but you also get over $500US/$650 CAN worth of digital content! The software is easy enough for the beginning designer, but robust enough for experienced digital designer, as well. Purchasing MDS 2 allows you to use Stampin' Up!'s professional print services--and a guaranteed color match with Stampin' Up!'s exclusive colors!

Collection Discs: You can purchase My Digital Studio collection discs. We have bundled digital versions of our most popular suites on a DVD--better yet, they're discounted at least 10 percent. These collection DVDs are compatible with any digital program, so digitally-minded users can have Stampin' Up! artwork no matter what design program they choose to use.

Hostess CDs: We have exclusive digital Hostess items in all our Stampin' Up! catalogs. These CDs contain exclusive artwork you can only get by hosting a party or placing an order for more than $150. You can can also use your Hostess Dollars to purchase the disc version of MDS 2 or MDS 2+.

MyDigitalStudio.net. You can access MyDigitalStudio.net, a site dedicated to all things My Digital Studio, including training with tons of instructional videos, a forum to ask questions of other My Digital Studio users, a gallery with samples, and much more! You will be able to find all the help they need on MyDigitalStudio.net.

Choosing the best software option

MDS 2: When you purchase MDS 2, you receive our full digital design software with a some functional content. You can view a complete list of MDS 2 content here. Customers who want to pick and choose their own digital content instead of a pre-selected package will enjoy this option.
MDS 2+: MDS 2+ is our MDS 2 software plus over $500 US/$650 CAN of digital content. You can view a complete list of the MDS 2+ content here. This is the most cost efficient option if you are new to digital designing. MDS 2+ is the best way to build up a digital content library for a very low price. This is an also an excellent option if you already own My Digital Studio, but want to build your download library.
MDS 2 Upgrade: (Download only) The MDS 2 Upgrade is for users who have already purchased My Digital Studio. They can upgrade to MDS 2 for the discounted price of $19.95 US/ $24.95 CA. The MDS 2 Upgrade does not include any digital content. This option is perfect for you if you already have My Digital Studio, and just want to access the 75 new design tools.
MDS 2 Trial: (Download only) The MDS 2 Trial allows you to try MDS 2 free for 30 days. It includes $200 US/$250 CAN of digital content (including designer templates!) so they will be able to design projects for many different occasions during their trial period. Click here to see a list of digital downloads included in the trial. This is a great option for customers who are curious about digital, but aren't quite ready to buy the software yet.

System Requirements
Prior to installing My Digital Studio, ensure that your computer meets the following technical specifications:

Computers running Microsoft Windows:

Windows 7, Vista or XP
Pentium 4, 1 GHz or better (1.6 GHz recommended) or comparable AMD processor
1 GB RAM available (2 GB or more recommended), 2 GB required for Windows Vista users and Windows 7 users (1.5 GB or more recommended)
16 MB video RAM (64 MB recommended)
Available hard disk space: 6GB minimum
DVD-ROM drive Computers running (Only required for My Digital Studio DVDs)

Macintosh:

OS X 10.4.x or greater (with the latest Java update) Highly recommend 10.6.x or greater
G4 500 MHz or faster (G5 1 GHz or better recommended, PowerPC or Intel Mac)
1 GB RAM (2 GB or more recommended)
16 MB video RAM (64 MB recommended)
Available hard disk space: 6 GB minimum
DVD-ROM drive (Only required for My Digital Studio DVDs)
My Digital Studio does not run on IPads

Other Requirements

QuickTime Player version 7.5 or higher (available at http://www.quicktime.com/)
Monitor resolution: 1024 x 768 or higher (1152 x 864 or higher recommended)
Internet connection: broadband connection with 512kbps download and 128kbps upload (1.5Mbps download and 768kbps upload or faster recommended)

Recommended additional equipment

Printer
Digital camera

If your wish list totals more than $99, sign up as a demonstrator to receive 20% discount on your future orders, and order $125 worth of products in your starter kit for only $99

Order My Digital Studio 2+ as part of your customized starter kit!

One of my favorite things about being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator is the great discount I get on all my products. I especially love receiving the discount on the My Digital Studio Print Products and downloads. I would love to tell you more about how you can receive this same discount. During August, many print products and digital downloads are on sale. Add these to your order for My Digital Studio! See my previous blog post for details.

Stampin' Up! makes it so easy to start your own home-based business. Every Starter Kit comes with a set of business supplies. Then, you get to choose up to $125 worth of either traditional or digital supplies to create your own customized kit valued at over $190. Your cost is only $99. Find out more here.

Donna Ross

Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator

Private Classes: http://cardmaking.meetup.com/71/

To place an order: Place an on-line order through my Stampin' Up! store - 24/7 Shopping
Current Promotions

Monday, July 30, 2012

Convention Swap samples & Spooktacular offer in August.

One of the best organized swaps I participated in was the Lyssa's Convention #12 - "Now THIS is Convention Quality" It is so well-organized. It was 5 groups of 20 swappers.

We used the tables at the front of the Gathering Place

This is Lyssa. This is the 12th Convention Swap that she's organized. She knows what she's doing!

Once all 20 cards were laid out, each group took a turn picking up one of the 20 swaps in their group.

The quality was amazing! See a few of the swaps below

Even more amazing, everyone who signed up for the swap kept their commitment and all cards were available at the scheduled time. It only took 30 minutes for over 120 cards to be swapped.

Thanks, Lyssa! Your new title: I am an incredible swap organizer!

Here are some of the wonderful cards I received. I'll share more in coming days.

Thsi card was created by Anne Venci and uses the Nature's Pace stamp.

Emillie Chisholm created this beautiful card using Blooming with Kindness

The creator of this card is Lyn Schumacher and she used Field Flowers

Swaps are one my favorite reasons for attending Convention. It is a great way to gather ideas for classes for the next several months.

Join as a demonstrator for $99, pick your own Starter Kit Products and get this Spooktacular offer during August

If you have a long "Wish List" ready to place on August 1, we have a spooktacular offer for you! If you plan to order over $99 from the new Holiday mini catalog, your better choice is to sign up as a demonstrator. For $99, you can choose $125.00 worth of any traditional or digital supplies with free shipping...just for signing up as a Stampin' Up! demonstrator. And you will receve a FREE Howl-o-ween Printer's Tray project kit. This boo-tiful kit contains all the bits and pieces to create a super spooky Halloween decoration.

In addition, Stampin' Up! has made the new standard Starter Kit completely customizable! This is a great way to update your supplies with the new In Colors, new stamp pads, new dies, new digital downloads, new ribbons and new stamps from either the big catalog or from the Holiday mini. And after purchasing your Starter Kit order, you'll receive 20% or more off future orders. Read more here...and let me help you select your starter kit items. Contract me via the "Read more" link above. We'll hold the order until August 1 so that you'll qualify for this free kit...A special offer for signing up between August 1-31, 2012.

Enjoy!

Donna Ross

Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator

Private Classes: http://cardmaking.meetup.com/71/

To place an order: Place an on-line order through my Stampin' Up! store - 24/7 Shopping
Current Promotions

Saturday, July 28, 2012

MDS Printing discounts, download discounts, and Announcing MDS 2!

I can't wait for August 1! I've been holding this little photo swatchbook for a while -- waiting for a printing special from Stampin' Up so I can make more copies! And in August I can print this for 31% off!

I'm so proud of my nieces who are on the winning 2012 US Synchronized Skating Championship team. Both of them skated on this year's winning team.

I'm going to take advantage of the August My Digital Studio printing special and make copies of this little photo swatchbook for both of them. These are great to carry in your purse to show off your latest family activities and accomplishments, wedding photos, or favorite memories because of the durable protective cover and the high-quality paper used for printing. I'm working on another book using my Convention photos, so I have favorite memories and great display board ideas close at hand for inspiration in my craft room.

Get ready for these August My Digital Studio Specials!

Get 31% off 31 digital content options and get the most of our print products for all 31 days in August! Feed your My Digital Studio addiction. With digital goods on sale and the 30-day FREE trial of the software, August is the perfect time for you to enter the digital designing craze and see what it's all about. Or read further to hear about the new release of My Digital Studio.

What's on sale?
1. ALL cards, photobooks, individual pages, and tags. That's right: print any photobook, board book, swatchbook, individual pages, greeting card, postcard, trifold card, or tag-all for 31% off.

2. Some of our best digital content. 30 downloads and 1 content disc. Yup, that equals 31.

Also it is a perfect time to upgrade to the new version of My Digital Studio 2 (MDS 2)

Coming August 1...

While you're putting together your order from the new Holiday mini catalog,be sure you also include your My Digital Studio Software purchases. Combining your purchases into a single order can qualify your for additional purchasing benefits. If your order reaches $150 (not including tax and shipping), you qualify for an additional $25 in free products -- products from the main catalog or the Holiday catalog--traditional pproducts or digital downloads. Don't worry, you'll be prompted to select your free merchandise during the on-line check out process.

With My Digital Studio 2 Software, Coming August 1, you'll be able to:

Design in Spreads
Create with custom canvas sizes
Add more than one color to a single stamp image
Change the color of designer papers or embellishments
Resize vector stamp images while keeping them crisp
See color combination suggestions
And much more...75 new features making designing easier!

Some versions are software only and other versions include tons of images and contents in addition to the new software. If you have purchased only a few downloads for your original version of My Digital Studio, now would be a great time to purchase the software plus content disk called MDS 2+. MDS 2+ adds over $500 worth of downloads to the software disc. As soon as the final contents are released, I'll post them so you know exactly which downloads are included. Some of them were available as downloads for the original version of MDS. In addition, check out the downloads that will be on sale beginning August 1.

31 My Digital Studio Downloads on sale during August

To see what each of these digital Content packages on sale during August include, visit the My Digital Studio catalog on the My Digital Studio Site. Look for the link on the right hand side of the page. These downloads that will be on sale beginning August 1.

Pick My Digital Studio Plus and digital content as part of your Starter Kit when you join as a demonstrator for $99

Join Stampin' Up! as a Demonstrator and select My Digital Studio Plus and downloads as part of your customizable kit. If you plan to order over $99 of Stampin' Up! merchandise (digital or products from the catalogs,) This is a great opportunity for you to sign up as a demonstrator for $99, and choose $125 worth of any digital or tradition products from current catalogs and get free shipping! In August, you'll also receive a Halloween kit.. See photos of the kit I posted yesterday. Then enjoy your future purchases at a discount. Find out more here.

Enjoy!

Donna Ross

Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator

Private Classes: http://cardmaking.meetup.com/71/

To place an order: Place an on-line order through my Stampin' Up! store - 24/7 Shopping
Current Promotions

Friday, July 27, 2012

Early Halloween Projects - Toxic Framable Digital Template

I know it's a bit early, but I've been inspired by the new Holiday Mini catalog, which many of you have already received if you've purchased from me during the past year.

I received my Holiday Mini Pre-order just before leaving for Convention. One of my favorite purchases is the Haunts & Harvest Collection Disc for My Digital Studio (1298350). It is filled with papers and stamps from the Orchard Harvest product suite (p. 28-30) and Howlstooth & Scaringbone product suite (p. 24-25) from the Holiday Mini.

I saw the sample at the bottom of p. 25 of the Holiday Mini, and had to print my own version. Here's a sample I made using a 3 x 5" photo holder. You can print the Toxic Framable image in a large framable size or in smaller sizes for use on card fronts.

My versions:

After printing the digital template in a size that fit a 3 X 5 frame, I backed it with Howlstooth & Scarinbone Designer Series paper (126906). Then I glued a strip of Pumpkin Pie 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon (119253) to the center of the 1/2" Basic Black Scallop Dots Ribbon (124145) and tied it in a knot at the top of the printed image. I keep a candy dish on my desk at work. I'll display this behind my candy dish. I love making items ahead of time. This year, Stampin' Up! is releasing the Holiday Mini a month earlier than usual, which means I might actually have a chance to play with ALL the wonderful items from the catalog before the next mini arrives!

Here's a framed sample of the Toxic Framable Digital Designer Template from Haunts & Harvest Digital Collection Disc (129835) on display during convention. You can also purchase this framable artwork as a single digital download (128139). You save 10% by purchasing the entire Haunts & Harvest Digital Collection Disc (129835) over purchasing all of the downloads on the disc individually, if you're like me and "want it all"!

The My Digital Studio disc, Haunts & Harvest Collection (129835) (available August 1), from the new catalog includes many digital images of the Halloween stamp sets from the Holiday Mini catalog, including the Toxic Treats set. Or you can purchase the traditional stamp set separately (w-127898; c 127901) beginning August 1.

Below is a swap I received during Convention from Cari Miller using the Toxic Treats stamp set and the Etruscan Elegance jumbo wheel (127868); available August 1. This card had so much texture, showcasing both the new Woodgrain Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (127821) and the Vintage Wallpaper Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (120175). I know I'll be using the Etruscan Elegance jumbo wheel for many card other than Halloween. It is soooo versatile! I can see using it for holiday cards, wedding cards, birthday cards, and Valentine's Day cards. This one will be part of my stamp collection for quite a while. You'll need to order a jumbo handle (103661). And you note that the image fits the Labels Collection Framelits Dies from the annual catalog p. 191, making it even faster to put together a bunch of holiday cards!

Join as a demonstrtor for $99 and Pick your own Starter Kit Products

Many of my customers have received their copy of the new Holiday Mini catalog from me and are busy putting together their "Wish List". On Wednesday, August 1, you can begin to place orders from the new catalog.

If you plan to order over $99 from the new catalog, your better choice is to sign up as a demonstrator. For $99, you can choose $125.00 worth of any traditional or digital supplies with free shipping...just for signing up as a Stampin' Up! demonstrator.

Stampin' Up! has made the new standard Starter Kit completely customizable! This is a great way to update your supplies with the new In Colors, new dies, new digital downloads, new ribbons and new stamps from either the big catalog or from the Holiday mini. And after purchasing your Starter Kit order, you'll receive 20% or more off future orders. Read more here...and let me help you select your starter kit items. We'll hold the order until August 1 so that you'll qualify for this free kit...A special offer for signing up between August 1-31, 2012.

Get this kit for signing up as a demonstrator between Aug 1-31, 2012

The tray and products to finish your tray are free when you sign up as a demonstrator August 1-31

Enjoy!

Donna Ross

Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator

Private Classes for 1 or a small group of friends: http://cardmaking.meetup.com/71/

To place an order: Place an on-line order through my Stampin' Up! store - 24/7 Shopping
Current Promotions

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Do you like texture on your greeting cards?

Here's another card I designed for swaps at Convention...featuring lots of texture. I love the new Apothecary Accent Framelit dies and the butterfly stamps from Papillon Potpourri (w-123757; c-123759)!

This card features several easy-to-do textures. The Early Espresso layer uses the new Core-dinations Card Stock from the Holiday Mini. Core-dinations Card Stock is sandable card stock that crates an antique, distressed look when sanded. The inside layer is a monochromatic color. I sanded my cardstock but you can also reveal the inside layer by tearing or distressing. The Certainly Celery layer is dry embossed with the Vintage Wallaper Folder (120175). Both layers only took minutes to create. The addition of the punched butterflies and the Crochet Trim added more texture to the card.

I used the largest of the Layered Labels stamp from the Holiday Mini. I covered the sentiment in the center with a hand-cut oval and then added punched butterflies using the new Elegant Butterfly Punch (127526). I stamped the center section of the Layered Labels stamp again and hand cut the oval center and placed it on a banner die cut from the Petal Cone Bigz L die. (We need an Oval punch that size...hhmmmm... I think I have something for the Stampin' Up! suggestion box).

New dies; new texture folders, new stamps; new tools -- what's not to love!

Recipe
Stamps: Papillon Potpourri (w-123757; c-123759), Layered Labels (C-127072-Holiday Mini)
Paper: Certinly Celery; Gumball Green, Early Espresso Core-dinations Card Stock, Very Vinella
Inks: Soft Suede
Accessories: Apothecary Accent Framelit dies, Oval Accent Bigz Clear (127005), Big Shot Die Cut machine, Petal Cone Bigz L Die (for the banner), Elegant Butterfly Punch (127526), Pearl Basic Jewels (119247), 1/4" Crochet Trim (118481), Dimensionals

*Holiday Mini merchandise will be availalbe to purchase beginning August 1

Want to save some money on your fall and winter holiday craft projects?

Sign up as a demonstrator in early August to earn a discount on a customizable starter kit ($125 in product for $99). Beginning August 1, if you sign up you'll also receive a Halloween Home decor kit that you'll love! Let me help you select the starter kit items you really want today and we'll hold the order until the August promotion begins!

As a Demonstrator you'll also be able to attend Convention next July and hear from Stampin' Up Staff presenters like Pam Morgan, Donna Griffith, Carrie Cudney, and the always humorous and irreverent Bonnie Thurber. They share great tips from research they've done on what makes a successful Stampin' Up! demonstrator to help you start your own successful business or enjoy your stamping as a passionate creative outlet and a reason to get together with friends, family and neighbors.

Want to experience what a Stampin' Up! Convention is like? Watch this video below. It was streamed live the last day of this year's convention to demonstrators...but now you can see it too! Note that the demontration also uses the Layered Labels stamp set. You can create so many wonderful looks with this stamp set!

Stampin' Up! Convention 2012 Live Stream

Enjoy!

Donna Ross

Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator

Private Classes: http://cardmaking.meetup.com/71/

To place an order: Place an on-line order through my Stampin' Up! store - 24/7 Shopping
Current Promotions